Home / Communities / Kootenay / Field

Last reviewed: July 17, 2026

Field is a small community located in the Rocky Mountains of southeastern British Columbia, situated within Yoho National Park along the Trans-Canada Highway approximately 55 kilometres west of Banff, Alberta, and roughly 860 kilometres east of Vancouver. The community sits at an elevation of approximately 1,242 metres in the Kicking Horse River valley, surrounded by dramatic mountain terrain that includes towering peaks, glaciers, and dense coniferous forests. The Kicking Horse River runs through the area, and the region is known for its striking natural scenery, including proximity to features such as the Burgess Shale fossil beds and Takakkaw Falls. The climate is characterized by cold, snowy winters and relatively cool summers, typical of high-elevation mountain communities in the interior of the province. Field is a remote and extremely small community, with a population of only a few dozen permanent residents, making it one of the smallest inhabited places in British Columbia. Its character is shaped almost entirely by its location within a federally protected national park, which lends it a quiet, close-knit atmosphere rooted in an appreciation for wilderness and outdoor living. The community has a strong heritage connection to the early development of the Canadian Pacific Railway, as Field served as an important divisional point during the construction of the railway through the Rocky Mountains in the late nineteenth century. That history is still reflected in the area's identity, and the surrounding landscape attracts visitors drawn to world-class hiking, wildlife viewing, and mountaineering throughout the warmer months. The economy of Field and the surrounding area is closely tied to tourism, national park operations, and the presence of Parks Canada, which is a significant employer in the community. Visitor services supporting the national park provide much of the local employment base, with seasonal fluctuations reflecting the ebb and flow of tourism. Because of the community's very small size and its location within a national park, commercial amenities are extremely limited, and residents typically travel to Golden, located approximately 55 kilometres to the west, for access to a broader range of services including shopping, healthcare, and professional services. The community's remote setting and national park designation impose restrictions on land use and development, which shape the nature of property ownership and community growth in a significant way. For real estate advice specific to Field, ask to be referred to a REALTOR® through our Referral REALTOR® link.

Field, British Columbia, sits within the Rocky Mountain Trench corridor at an elevation of approximately 1,240 metres, giving it a subarctic to alpine continental climate. Winters are long, cold, and heavily influenced by the surrounding mountain terrain. Average temperatures typically range from around -5°C to -15°C, with extended periods well below -20°C during cold snaps driven by Arctic air masses. Snowfall is substantial, often accumulating to considerable depths that persist from November through April. The area receives relatively modest precipitation overall compared to wetter western slopes, as it lies partially in the rain shadow of the Selkirk and Purcell ranges, though mountain snowpack remains significant. Summers in Field are short, cool, and generally pleasant, with average daytime temperatures ranging from roughly 15°C to 24°C. Precipitation is spread across the warmer months, often arriving as afternoon thunderstorms typical of interior mountain environments. The community occasionally experiences wildfire smoke drifting in from broader regional burns during July and August. Field's position near Kicking Horse Pass creates notable wind effects through the valley, and the dramatic transition from subalpine forest to exposed rock above town makes it particularly sensitive to rapid weather changes throughout all seasons.

© 2026 EZtoFind.ca · Doug LeMaire, REALTOR® · Fraser Property Management Realty Services Ltd. · MLS® data © CREA DDF® · Climate © Environment and Climate Change Canada · Population © Statistics Canada. General information only — not real-estate, legal, tax, or financial advice.